Some people have a thing for cold-blood animals such as snakes like the boa constrictors, pythons, and even anacondas. Among them are turtles, exotic frogs, and even iguanas. Reptiles as pets are hzardous to your health—and theirs. And estimated 11 million pet reptiles live in U.S. households currently, and this has resulted in depletion of the wild population, damaged habitats and suffering of the animals involved. This is a matter of humane, conservation and public safety (info from Humane Society of U.S.).

Most reptiles for sale today are taken from the wild. The methods to flush them out of the water, swamps are cruel—yanking, netting, forcing them out of the damaged habitat with gasoline and chemicals. In transit to the stores, most of these reptile will have been injured, sick, or dead. For ignuanas especially, they suffer malnutrition and develop diseases as they don’t get the appropriate natural diet and sufficient amount of ultraviolet light they require. Generally, the same problem faces all reptiles, as being captive in a domestic home or swimming pool are unnatural for them.

Reptiles require a lot maintenance, and most people who’ve bought them become overwhelmed. In Florida, people release unwanted reptiles such a constrictors, even alligators back into the water or swamp and in areas not indigenous to them. This creates a ripple effect in the ecosystem, as the balance of life become all messed up.

Please take a moment and act right away–the deadline for public comment is 4/30/2008. Your comments will go to the U.S. government and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (FWS). Go here to sign your pledge, and tell your friend and family about this urgent issue!